Internal Communication Diploma
CIPR Specialist Diploma: Internal Communication
About this course
Become an effective, strategic internal communication practitioner with advanced communication planning and implementation skills. This internal communication course takes a strategic look at this exciting and growing area of practice. Topics include change communication, engagement, the strategic use of social media and measurement.
Our course includes live online sessions, tutorials and individual feedback on assignment topics.
NOTE: From 1 June CIPR ‘Professional Student’ membership is mandatory, the cost of £80 will be added at enrolment. For more information see FAQs at the bottom of this page.
Course detail
Study Support Package
Live interactive online workshops
One to one tutorials
Online library with all the books you need
Individual feedback on your assignment idea
Study Hub: our bespoke online learning centre
Networking via our LinkedIn group
Easy tutor contact
A copy of the book 'Exploring Internal Communication'
Pay monthly
Initial fee: £255.80 (incl. VAT)
8 monthly instalments: £225 (incl. VAT)
A one-off initial fee is taken when you enrol. Instalments are collected monthly from the date you enrolled.
How we calculate your fee
PR Academy tuition : £1,349 (+ VAT)
CIPR fees: £437 (no VAT)
Total: £1,786 (+ VAT)
VAT is calculated upon enrolment and is dependent on your location and situation.
VAT inclusive fee is £2,055.80
Who is this course for?
Experienced practitioners. You are an experienced internal communicator or PR professional looking to gain a specialist internal communication qualification to underpin your skills with theory and analysis. You want to develop strategic internal communication and management skills. You may have the CIPR Specialist Certificate: Internal Communication.
Make an impact. You want to learn how to develop an internal communication strategy and make an impact in the organisation.
Flexible learning. You want to be able to study at a time and pace that works for you.
Master’s level. This is a Master’s level course so make sure you are ready to study and be assessed at this level.
CIPR Specialist Diploma: Internal Communication Syllabus
- The evolution of internal communication as a strategic management function;
- Organisational structures, leadership and management;
- Organisational culture and its impact on internal communication practice;
- The role of internal communication in major change management programmes;
- How change can be accelerated by using effective approaches to communication and engagement;
- Internal communication and engagement models and concepts;
- Critically evaluate and implement internal communication planning, including audit and research methodologies; assessing levels of communication and organisational engagement.
Apply what you learn. Be assessed on real-life or work-related projects which is great for employers, showing the practical relevance of the course.
Download the full syllabus and brochure below.
Download our course brochure for all the course details including:
- Full syllabus
- Assignment details
- Reasons to study
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Reviews from our graduates
Discover how our courses work
Ann Pilkington, co-founder of PR Academy explains how our courses work, demonstrates our Study Hub and explains the resources and support you will receive. Also hear from members of the PR Academy alumni.
Meet your course leader Dr Kevin Ruck
I get a buzz from teaching as I like to explore new ideas and ways of working. I like to think big about PR, internal communication and employee engagement. I think you tend to always get what you’ve always got if you always do what you’ve always done. So teaching and learning is about thinking differently in ways that can be applied to better practice.
Hear from others
Discover what it’s like to study for an internal communication diploma with us.
It’s bolstered my confidence and equipped me to better advise and constructively challenge. As a result, I’m working more strategically and I’m much better placed to measure and demonstrate the value of internal communications.
Your questions answered
From 1 June 2025 you will need to be a member of the CIPR if doing one of their qualifications. This will be included in the cost of the course and applied at the time of enrolling.
The grade of membership is "Professional Student" at the time of writing this had not been added to the CIPR website but it is equivalent to Affiliate Membership - you can see the benefits on the CIPR website here.
The costs from 1 June are:
- £160 for a 2-year course (PR Diploma and PR Certificate)
- £80 for a 1-year course (Specialist Diplomas and Certificate)
- £38 for the Foundation course
We asked the CIPR and the answer is yes, this is what they said:
We recognise that some candidates may already hold an individual membership with the CIPR (and that this will not be at Professional Student Membership grade) at the time of registration. To ensure fairness and avoid duplication of charges, we propose the following:
- Membership Extension Offered Where a candidate has already paid for their own membership which overlaps with the qualification period, that existing membership will not be refunded. Instead, the individual will receive a free extension of their current membership by one or two years, in line with the length of their course. The same applies to Corporate Affiliate membership.
- Membership Grade During Qualification If you are an existing member you will remain on your existing membership grade throughout the course in order to retain any professional accreditations that you already hold e.g. Accredited PR Practitioner, Chartered PR Practitioner. You will continue to receive communications and services appropriate to your existing grade.
The CIPR Specialist Diploma (Internal Communication) will be of interest to practitioners who have experience of internal communication activities, in consultancy or in-house, or in a related discipline such as human resources management. This qualification will equip the candidate with the knowledge and tools to apply this experience in the context of the function of internal communication in organisations, how it contributes to organisational engagement and commitment, and to organisational change, and what is expected of an ethical practitioner in the digital age.
Candidates will research and develop ethical internal communication strategies and plans that assist organisations to stimulate employee engagement, change attitudes and influence behaviours.
The assignment is a management proposal outlining recommendations for developing strategy and performance improvement. The aim is to enable candidates to demonstrate competence in evaluating the effectiveness of internal communication practice. You will be required to evidence professional judgement in identifying a suitable internal communication activity. This could be based on your own organisation, a client, or another organisation of your choice. An example topic is "The impact of digital media on internal communication".
Yes. Our CIPR Internal Communication Diploma and Certificate are taught by internal communication experts who show you the theory and how to apply it in practice. Our students say it leads to increased confidence and that can help to advance your career. In PR Academy’s 2023 research into PR and comms education, respondents were asked - if they hold a professional qualification - has it led to career progression/promotion. This is a question that PR Academy has tracked since 2013. There is a consistent report of between 74 and 85 percent that a professional qualification has led to a career progression combined with confidence that it will.
Our CIPR qualifications are all about helping you to become a more strategic practitioner. You'll understand how to use theory, research and planning models to develop effective communication strategies.
At PR Academy we help you to achieve the CIPR Internal Communication Diploma or Certificate. We also work with the PRCA to deliver a diploma in change management and communication. These are practical, applied professional courses where you can apply the learning straight away. Check out our ‘Complete Guide to CIPR Internal Communication Qualification Courses’ for more information.
The CIPR Specialist Diploma: Internal Communication is taught and assessed at approximately Master's Level (sometimes called Level 7). It is designed for practitioners with more experience. The CIPR Specialist Certificate: Internal Communication is more at degree level and works well for people early in their career.
With our internal communication qualifications at PR Academy everything is included in the price you see. We provide lots of resources including an extensive online library with all the books you need.
Our internal communication qualifications are designed to be studied part time and fit in around home and work life. Our online learning platform - the Study Hub - sets all the learning out into management chunks to help you plan your studies.
Yes. Both our CIPR specialist internal communication qualifications cover change communication. Our PRCA Change Management and Communication Diploma also looks at the role of the change manager.
Yes. The majority of students are combining work and study for their internal communication qualification. You'll find our courses broken down into management chunks of learning to help you.
